On the recordNovember 29, 2011
while I have the floor, and while Senator Landrieu is here, let me add my voice of thanks and gratitude to Senator Landrieu for the energy she shows as chair of our Small Business Committee. I am honored to be a member of that committee and to sit at her side. I know how long and hard she has worked on this SBIR Program, how many years we have fought hard for this program, with her as our leader. The same thing is true with the technology program--the Small Business Technology Transfer Program--which is part of this amendment. This bill is going to help 30 million small businesses to invest in technology research to help grow their businesses, spur innovation, and create jobs. Small business technology firms that receive SBIR funds have produced 38 percent of America's patents--13 times more than large businesses--and employ 40 percent of America's scientists and engineers, and the Defense Department is the biggest user of these programs. So this is very appropriate on this bill, and we are very grateful for the determination of Senator Landrieu and her cosponsors. If I am not already a cosponsor of the amendment, I would ask unanimous consent to be added as a cosponsor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
